Wearing apparel



Sept. 26, 1961 N. HASSLER 3,001,203

WEARING APPAREL Filed May 20, 1959 INVENTOR. ur'ah H E1551 ar' l fid grates Patent 3,001,203 WEARING APPAREL Norah Hassler, 6813 Riverdale Road, Riverdale, Md. Filed May 20, 1959, Ser. No. 814,439 4 Claims. (Cl. 2-239) The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in wearing apparel, and more particularly, to means for facilitating the matching of pairs of hosiery.

It is well known that women, after the laundering of a few days accumulation of hose, are compelled to spend a long period of time in associating matching pairs because of the similar, yet not exact, likenesses of features such as varying shades, heel and toe finishings, and scams. Even where hose are of exactly the same color some difficulty may be experienced in matching pairs due to such differences as weight or gauge. Also, it is frequently necessary to select matching pairs of hosiery with inadequate light, as for example by artificial light or by natural light prevailing in the early morning. Further, persons who have vision impairments, who may be color blind, or who may be totally blind, have special difiiculty in associating matched articles of this character.

Whereas in the past the use of certain attachments has been proposed with a view to ornamentation, and whereas the difiiculties of bringing together matching pairs of socks or stockings has been recognized, means hitherto provided for such purposes have involved resort either to markers or ornamental devices which are permanently attached to and made a part of the article of apparel, or to devices which will damage delicate fabric particularly the sheer fabrics of womens stockings. When the marking means is permanently incorporated with the article of wear, the drawback exists that following several wearings and launderings of the originally matched pair, variations may be introduced whereby said pair is no longer desirably associated, and the markers no longer serve their purpose. Further, should the owner of the articles for any reason desire to remove or to vary the ornamentation or markings, such changes have been at best inconvenient to elfect, and damage to the material may easily result. 7

It is an object of the present invention to provide means which will greatly facilitate the association of matching articles of clothing, particularly of the type described.

It is a further object of the invention to provide means to match articles of subject type which can be readily utilized and which will provide positive identification.

It is a further object of the invention to provide means facilitating the selection of matching pairs of hose by visual observation only.

It is a further object of the invention to provide means rendering possible the identification of matching pairs by the sense of touch without visual observation.

It is a further object of the invention to provide means serving optionally the needs of visual or tactile identification and which if desired can be used alternatively or jointly.

Proceeding in accordance with my invention I have found, by the provision of a marker consisting of a small section of cloth, ribbon, tape, plastic sheet, or similar flexible material wherewith or whereon is incorporated insignia in the nature of numbers, letters, names or designs, preferably in attractive colors and patterns, which is adapted to insertion in a welt or band of the stocking, the welt being provided with a suitable opening to receive the insert, there is rendered available a simple and effective means of achieving the aforesaid objects without involving the disadvantages hitherto referred to. Markers suitable for purposes of the present invention may bear, for example, significant symbols such as the days of the 3,001,203 Patented Sept. 26, 1961 symbols resembling birds, fruit, flowers, or abstract designs. In addition, at the option of the user, the marker or a layer thereof may be impregnated with perfume, so that the marker may serve the additional purpose of a sachet. Should it be desired, matching distinctive odors may be utilized as a means of identification and association. It will be understood that Whereas most persons will prefer that the insignia be attractive and ornamental, the esthetic feature of the article is not essential.

Markers in accordance with the invention may be made of any suitable material such as plastic, or preferably, fabric. Since they are constructed to be easily removed from the welt, the length of time the markers are retained therein is a matter of choice. They may be left in place indefinitely, and it has been found that they will not become displaced by wear or laundering. The markers desirably are composed of materials and colors that will not be adversely affected by laundering. However, the owner may remove the markers from time to time or substitute new or different markers if desired.

The following embodiments are illustrative of the invention:

FIG. 1 is a representation of a stocking as worn by the owner, the marker being in process of insertion in a welt provided in the top of the stocking.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the upper part of the stocking with the marker positioned in the front of the welt.

FIG. 3 shows a marker which is formed of plastic having an elevated portion discernible by touch.

FIG. 4 is a cross-section of the marker shown in FIG. 3 taken along line 44 thereof.

FIG. 5 is a marker having an ornamental design in relief suitable for matching hose either by visual or tactile means.

FIG. 6 is a cross-section of the ornament shown in FIG. 5 taken along line 66 thereof.

In FIG. 7 there is shown a modified ornamental design.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 thereof, there is shown a womans stocking 10, adapted to receive a marker 11, of a type which can be distinguished by touch. This marker is provided with an elevated portion 15, centrally located. In use the marker is inserted in the top welt 14 of the stocking in an opening 13, which may be colinear with the seam 12 of the stocking. The marker may be moved to any convenient position, and in practice, it is found to be convenient to position it as shown in FIG. 2 in the forward part of the welt of the stocking. Whereas the marker 11 is primarily designed for identification by means of touch, it will be seen that it also can be identified by visual inspection. The thickness of the marker is somewhat exaggerated in the drawing for purposes of clarity. It is desirable that the material of which the marker is composed be comparatively thin and flexible and resistant to laundering operation, and it will be appreciated that the elevated portion need not exceed that discernible by touch.

The construction of the marker should be such as to avoid damage to the fabric of the stocking. Accordingly, sharp, rough edges are to be avoided, and where there are elevated portions these should rise smoothly from the plane surface. It is particularly important if the marker is formed from plastic materials rather than fabric, that the corners and edges be rounded as at 8 and 9 (FIG. 3 and FIG. 4), and it is also desirable that the material be soft and yielding rather than hard and inelastic. It also is contemplated, should a relatively heavy material be used for the base portion, that the marker may be curved,

in order tofit the contour of the thigh. The material forming the marker also may be laminated, or may consist of plasticized cloth. The selection of materials should take into consideration the fact that in laundering, the insertwill be subjected to the action of warm water and detergents and should thereforebe composed of materials that will not warp or become distorted. or undergo any other destructive change, under these circumstances.

The modification shown in FIG. consists of a marker, generally designated as 16, having an ornamental appearance and being characterized by two elevated portions 17 and 18. In this case themarker is composed of fabric and the design may be executed in attractive colors. This marker can be identified by sight or touch.

In the modification of the marker shown in FIG. 7, a different ornamental design is shown.

While for purposes of simplification, only one of each pair of markers of a singletype is illustrated, in practice there will be employed at least two matching markers. It will be further understood that the owner of the hose normally will be supplied with a plurality of matching pairs of ornaments of selected design, shade, and material, whereby any desired number of hose may be matched.

Whereas l have shown for purposes of illustration, certain particular embodiments of my invention, it will be understood that other modifications fall within the scope of the invention. a

What I claim is:

1. In combination with a pair of matching hose, each member of said pair of hose being provided with a double ply welt portion and an opening in one of said plies of said welt portion, and a pair of matching markers respectively adapted to be inserted in said welt portions and retained between said plies while being otherwise unattached to said hose, each member of said pair of matching markers consisting essentially of a substantially flat main portion formed of soft, yielding material, each member of said pair of matching markers being of such size that it extends over only a minor part of the circumference of the welt portion when inserted therein, each member of said pair of matching markers bearing distinctive matching insignia.

2. A combination according to claim 1 wherein said matching insignia are visually distinguishable.

3. A combination according to claim 1 wherein said matching insignia are distinguishable by touch.

4. A combination according to claim 1, wherein said matching insignia are visually distinguishable and also distinguishable by touch.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,894,891 Sachsenmaier Jan. 17, 1933 2,604,770 Ischinger July 29, 1952 2,638,602 Binkowitz May 19, 1953 2,663,877 .Bohman Dec. 29, 1953 2,667,004 Sanson Ian. 26, 1954 2,728,086 Aurell Dec. 27, 1955 

